[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING COAL MINERS FROM UPPER BIG BRANCH MINE IN WEST VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1236, 
which honors the 29 coal miners who tragically died in the Upper Big 
Branch Mine-South, extends condolences to the victims' families, and 
recognizes the valiant efforts of the emergency workers who responded 
to the mine disaster. H. Res. 1236 is an important measure that 
expresses our heartfelt sadness over this tragic loss of life in 
Raleigh County, West Virginia. Importantly, it also reaches out to the 
friends and families who are grieving their loss, and honors the 
selfless men and women who risked their own lives in responding to the 
disaster.
  I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership in bringing this bill to 
the floor. I would also like to thank the sponsor of this legislation, 
my friend Congressman Nick Rahall. The coalminers tragically lost in 
the disaster were his constituents and I know how heavily this tragedy 
is weighing upon him. But I also know his resolve to do all he can to 
ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
  Mr. Speaker, in West Virginia, coal mining is more than just a 
profession--it is a way of life, a vital part of the State's history 
and culture. However, the work done by coalminers has implications 
across the country. Our Nation is indebted to West Virginia coalminers 
for the dangerous work that they do on a daily basis to help power our 
Nation and keep it strong and secure. Despite repeated accidents in our 
Nation's mines, coalminers have returned to the mines time and again in 
order to support their families and provide the energy that helps fuel 
industry and power homes across the country. The 29 miners lost in the 
disaster were performing this important work and deserve our gratitude 
and appreciation. Just as important, their families deserve our 
condolences and support in this time of need.
  It is also entirely fitting that we honor the brave emergency workers 
who responded immediately to the disaster and worked tirelessly to 
rescue those trapped and injured in the disaster. The emergency 
responders entered the Upper Big Branch Mine with full knowledge that 
they may never return from the mine. This willingness to put their own 
lives at risk in an attempt to save others is heroic and worthy of our 
continued gratitude and praise.
  Finally, the tragedy in Raleigh County, West Virginia is a poignant 
reminder of the need to do more to ensure the safety of our Nation's 
mines. Hopefully, we can take this horrible tragedy--the worst mining 
disaster in 40 years--as a call to ensure that all necessary safety and 
health regulations are in place in our mines, so that coalminers can 
work in the safest possible conditions. In order to protect the lives 
of our Nation's miners and their families from tragedy, we must do all 
that we can to prevent future mining disasters.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1236.

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